Yard to the Post @ Apollo Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 16 February 2019
WINX returned to the track today with a sublime performance in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes. An expectant crowd hoped for the best, but not many thought the now seven-year-old mare would dominate the race with such ease.
The brave HAPPY CLAPPER was no match over the final 150 metres as WINX let loose down the Royal Randwick straight. Immediately after the race there was chatter about her planned retirement after The Championships and whether Ascot or another Cox Plate was now back on the table.
The day was all about the Aussie Queen of racing, but it's worth noting the runs of a couple of budding princesses too. NAKEETA JANE won the Light Fingers Stakes over 1,200 metres and POHUTUKAWA flew home into an eye-catching 3rd, two young horses that are worthy of following over the Autumn, even if they remain a long way off Waller's champion.
In other races; the two-year-old filly TENLEY stormed home to win the first race, YOU MAKE ME SMILE led all the way to make it three wins in a row, ECKSTEIN caused an upset in the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes and the Waterhouse Bott team took out the final events with the tough on-pacers ALASSIO and PENSKE.
A full review can be found below.
Track Info
| Rail | +3m |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR to NEAR PACE (later races) |
Race 1 PIERRO PLATE
Tenley comes home ten to their one
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tenley | James Cummings | Kerrin McEvoy | 11 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | All Cylinders | Peter Robl | Sam Clipperton | 9 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Jonah | Peter & Paul Snowden | Joshua Parr | 4 | 56.0 |
In The Running
ALL CYLINDERS took up the running at a FAIR tempo with COVERT OPS on his outside. INTREPIDACIOUS was 3W NC and POWERTRAIN 4W NC.
The Result
TENLEY (1st) surged home hard from the back for a clear win, beating home ALL CYLINDERS (2nd 1.8L) and JONAH (3rd 2L), who was held up slightly.
The Interest
A nice honest tempo, stepping up to 1100m and the blinkers on, this grey Godolphin filly got to show her strength today. That final 200m surge is her biggest attribute it seems so 1200m+ should be even more of a positive. ALL CYLINDERS measured up well, JONAH (held up) was good and ROTATOR (4th 2.3L) was a bit wide on the turn and couldn't quite match the winner. GARIBALDI (5th 2.6L) fought on honestly in the ruck, as did VALDOSTANA (6th 3.4L) and ICEBATH (8th 4L) should have been much closer after copping a bad check at the 100m.
Race 2 TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP
Plenty of pressure and some unlucky runners
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fui San | Terry Robinson | Robbie Dolan | 11 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Pontmain | Tim Donnelly | Kerrin McEvoy | 5 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Tiara Road | Danny Williams | Jay Ford | 8 | 53.0 |
In The Running
TRUMBO worked forward to lead and set a STRONG tempo with some early pressure. NOTHIN' LIKE HARRY on his outside and AROGANESE worked up 3W NC.
The Result
FUI SAN (1st) swept home and got a narrow win over PONTMAIN (2nd 0.1L), who fought on well from near the pace up the inside. TIARA ROAD (3rd 0.3L) ran on well after being held up slightly.
The Interest
They went hard up front in this one and the swoopers dominated, PONTMAIN the best from near the pace at only his second start, a stayer with promise. BALANSA (4th 1.1L) and HAAMES (7th 4.3L) didn't have much luck and could have easily have won if they got the breaks. The fav' NOTHIN' LIKE HARRY disappointing, he was up on a STRONG tempo, but others fought on better than him and there were no issues in the Stewards Report.
Race 3 HURUN REPORT CUP
No tempo, small margins and a hard watch for punters
slow tempo
: long sprint
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Curata Princess | Robert & Luke Price | Andrew Adkins | 5 | 52.0 | |
| 2 | Gayatri | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 12 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Our Gravano | Kris Lees | Kerrin McEvoy | 8 | 59.0 |
In The Running
MONSIEUR SISU took up the running at a SLOW tempo only with RESORT on his outside. GAYATRI snagged back to last. They set off for a LONG SPRINT home into the turn.
The Result
CURATA PRINCESS (1st) got a nice run through and fought on to beat GAYATRI (2nd 0.5L), who was held up and then blocked going for a run at the 200m. OUR GRAVANO (3rd 0.7L) followed the winner home. EQUIPPED (4th 1.5L) held up until the 150m on the inside.
The Interest
Not much tempo and a blanket finish, this was a hard watch for those that backed GAYATRI. She hasn't got an honest tempo in her last three starts now and found some trouble at a key point here. Bowman probably lost the race in the first 200m when he snagged her all the way back. EQUIPPED also a touch unlucky in the box seat. Forgive RENEGED (8th 4.1L), who is vert one-paced and found the line OK before laying in and getting on heels at the 100m. LETTER TO JULIETTE (6th 2.4L) pulled up with an epiglottic entrapment and must have corrective surgery now (Stewards).
Race 4 LUNAR NEW YEAR HANDICAP
Kathy smiles from start to finish
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | You Make Me Smile | Jason Coyle | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 8 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Diplomatico | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Brenton Avdulla | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Gauguin | John Sargent | Glyn Schofield | 7 | 54.5 |
In The Running
YOU MAKE ME SMILE took up the running and set a STRONG tempo, getting a break on the chasing pack on the turn.
The Result
YOU MAKE ME SMILE (1st) held on from a fast-finishing DIPLOMATICO (2nd 1.8L), who worked his way clear of the pack and surged late. GAUGUIN (3rd 3.1L) kept on from midfield.
The Interest
The form out of his last win was strong and YOU MAKE ME SMILE took his brave tactics to the big Randwick track today for a great result. His sectionals until the 200m mark were red hot and the gap was too much for DIPLOMATICO to overcome, who produced an excellent return. GAUGUIN the big surprise keeping on well, he's a touch one-paced so will be looking for honest tempos this prep. PARET (5th 3.7L) just fair and DON"T GIVE A DAMN (9th 8.9L) plodded, not asked much by the jockey on the firm track.
Race 5 SOUTHERN CROSS STAKES
Clipperton pounces on a race there for the taking
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eckstein | Chris Waller | Sam Clipperton | 7 | 54.5 | |
| 2 | Dothraki | Peter & Paul Snowden | Joshua Parr | 3 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Brutal | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Brenton Avdulla | 10 | 53.0 |
In The Running
DOTHRAKI took up the running at a FAIR tempo, the fav' BRUTAL stuck out 3W NC on the pace.
The Result
ECKSTEIN ran on from the back to just grab DOTHRAKI (2nd 0.2L) and BRUTAL (3rd 0.3L) fought on well. DREAMFORCE (8th 2L) found some trouble in the straight.
The Interest
Not much between these sprinters, the 3YO BRUTAL stuck wide and probably the best run in the race along with DREAMFORCE, who was on heels and found the line well. ECKSTEIN hadn't quite been up to her best first-up before, she was fit and ready here today. LANCIATO (5th 1L) and NOIRE (6th 1.2L) found the line well too and should perform over 1400m next start.
Race 6 THE STAR APOLLO STAKES
The queen of racing returns
fair tempo
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winx | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 3 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Happy Clapper | Patrick Webster | Sam Clipperton | 1 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Egg Tart | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 7 | 57.0 |
In The Running
TOM MELBOURNE was urged forward and set a FAIR tempo, a much more honest speed than was expected. HAPPY CLAPPER on his outside and WINX midfield.
The Result
WINX (1st) moved up and surged right away the last 150m, leaving HAPPY CLAPPER (2nd 2.3L) to run a clear 2nd. EGG TART (3rd 4.3L) and PATRICK ERIN (4th 4.4L) fighting out 3rd from just behind the leaders.
The Interest
There's nothing more you can say.... except, is she as good as ever as a 7YO!? This was an unbelievable return, taking her overall record to 40 starts, 34 wins and 3 seconds, a run of 30 straight and $23 million in prize-money. HAPPY CLAPPER very good and PATRICK ERIN went enormous, he never runs a bad race it seems!
Race 7 TAB LIGHT FINGERS STAKES
Tarzan's strong, but Jane looks stronger!
strong tempo
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nakeeta Jane | Mark Newnham | Joshua Parr | 3 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Madam Rouge | Chris Waller | Jay Ford | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Pohutukawa | James Cummings | Brett Prebble | 2 | 56.0 |
In The Running
TERMINOLOGY went to the lead and rolled at a STRONG tempo with MADAM ROUGE on her outside, a bit of a break to the chasing pack. GREYSFUL GLAMOUR out wide NC midfield.
The Result
NAKEETA JANE (1st) knuckled down from the box seat and was strong to the line, catching MADAM ROUGE (2nd 0.3L) late. POHUTUKAWA (3rd 1.1L) flew home late after getting held up.
The Interest
Two big strong fillies produced two big runs here, NAKEETA JANE winning back to 1200m and POHUTUKAWA smashing the line. They will be very hard to beat over 1400m, 1600m and further this prep now. MISS FABULASS (9th 3.2L) didn't do much back on the inside and SYLVIA'S MOTHER (5th 1.8L) didn't quite measure up.
Race 8 ROBRICK LODGE TRISCAY STAKES
Too tough, too strong and in the right spot
strong tempo
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alassio | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 2 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Manicure | James Cummings | Robbie Dolan | 14 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | I Am Excited | David Pfieffer | Kerrin McEvoy | 11 | 58.0 |
In The Running
ALL OVER BOSANOVA led at a STRONG tempo from ALASSIO trailing up behind and MANICURE not far off. I AM EXCITED 3W NC just behind them.
The Result
ALASSIO (1st) fought on with MANCIURE (2nd 0.2L) in a close finish. I AM EXCITED (3rd 2.2L) fought on well with BELLA MARTINI (4th 2.3L) chasing home from the back.
The Interest
Once again those on-pace following an honest STRONG tempo dominated, the firmer track at the end of the day favouring those near the speed. ALSSIO very tough and MANICURE still going well this prep. I AM EXCITED, BELLA MARTINI and SIREN'S FURY (6th 3.2L) best from the back.
Race 9 CHINESE FESTIVAL OF RACING HANDICAP
Waterhouse and Bott get the job done again
fair tempo
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Penske | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Joshua Parr | 4 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Nicochet | Jason Coyle | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 10 | 52.0 | |
| 3 | Harmattan | James Cummings | Glyn Schofield | 3 | 54.0 |
In The Running
ALMOST COURT led them up at a FAIR tempo with PENSKE on his outside and COSMOLOGIST 3W NC on the pace. THE AVENGER 3W NC near the back of the field.
The Result
PENSKE (1st) moved up and was too strong, beating home NICOCHET (2nd 2.3L) and HARMATTAN (3rd 3.3L) chasing home OK. COSMOLOGIST (4th 3.5L) fought on after being wide.
The Interest
PENSKE simply too strong here, running well two times this prep and finding the perfect race to pick off. COSMOLOGIST (4ht 3.5L), HURSLEY (5th 3.6L) and JAKE'S HILL (6th 4.1L) all fought on well, JAKE'S HILL getting back off the ON-PACE bias. SMARTEDGE and THE AVENGER don't see out the mile it seems, both weak to the line.